Electrical disconnecter



G. C. OXER ELECTRICAL DISCONNECTER Nov. 9, 192e.

Filed Dec. 14I 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet l Z O m w n ad Nov. 9 1926.

G. C. OXER ELECTRICAL DI SCONNECTER Filed Dec.

14. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gnou/woz wif/765525 messa- Nov. 9, 192s.

GEORGE C. OXEB, OENEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRICAL DISONNECTER.

Application fued December 14, 1922. serial No. 606,982.

My invention relates to an improved form of electrical disconnecter, tobe used for the purpose of -mechanically disconnecting or connectingelectrical conductors, more particularly when the circuit to bedisconnected or connected is not carrying electrical current, as forexample, where an oil circuit breaker isused to-break the circuit underload, my disconnecter would thereafter disconnect the conductor at asecondpoint, thereby isolating the oil circuit breaker from the ener--gized conductor, or to disconnect. or connect electrical 'conductorsunder any condition, when suitable contact members have been provided.

l My new form of disconnecter is a single, self-contained propellingunit which may be mounted on a structure with its axis at any angle offrom 90 to 270 relative to the axis of a fixed insulator element, and inthis position, when combined with a fixed contact member'mounted on afixed insulator, be made to disconnect or connect an electrical circuit,when actuated either manually or mechanically.l

It is adaptable to the operation of disconnecting or connecting two ormore conductors simultaneously, in the ca-se of low voltages, bymounting the two or more contact pieces together with their insulatorson a common base whichl is supported and moved by the singleself-contained element; or, to. the operation, in the case of highvoltages, of any number of single self-contained elements'simultaneously when mount. ed with their axes parallel and in the sameplane, as for example, three single self-contained ,units mounted on astructure with their axes parallel and in the same plane, together withtheir corresponding fixed insulators and contact elements, and a commonactuating mechanism, would constitute a .complete disconnecter for ahigh tension three phase circuit; or, to the disconnecting or connectingan electrical conductorfrom,

or to, either of two other electrical conclue-- tors alternately, bymounting an insulator and contact member at, and attached to, each endof the propelling member of the single self-contained 'propelling unit,omitting the tail case, and joining the two contact members with thecommon conductor, so thatv they are of the same polarity, to ether withtwo fixed contact members suita ly located,

each connected to one of the two conductors case, taken at a pointindicate from or to which the common conductor is to be disconnected orconnected, thus forming a double throw disconnecter. It has spei cialadvantages when used on high voltage circuits, either exposed orunexposed to the Weather, as well as on low voltage circuits,`

such as bus bars.

Numerous forms of disconnecters are known which may be operated singly.or in a group, either manually or mechanically actuated, on highvoltages andlow voltages,

but none of these have embodied a singley self-contained propelling unitcarrying a contact member, which can be mounted independently of thefixed insulator element and with its axes at various angles relative tothe `fixed finsulator element. This particular disadvantage, andothers,I have overcome in my disconnecter.

` My invention will be -best understood by referring to the accompanyingdrawing,

which shows a preferred embodiment there- Y `Fig. l is an elevation of asingle self-contained propelling unit and its correspondlng fixedcontact member and fixed insulator, together with a means for bringingthe conductor up to the self-contained propelling unit. In this figurethe insulators shown dotted, indicate the relative positions which thesingle self-contained propelling unit occupy, with respect to 'the fixedinsulator,

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the dlsconnecter showing the adaptation ofone`s1ngle selfcontained propelling unit to theI d1scon nect ing, orconnecting of three conductors s1multaneously, as in the case of a lowvoltage three phase circuit,

Fig. 3 shows a 'front elevation .of three single self-contained'propelling units, to.

gethei` with their correspondingfxed insulator and contact elements, tobe operated in unison by a common operating mechavoltage three phasecircuit,

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the propelling'member, taken at apoint mdlcated by arrows in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a cross section throu h the metal by arrows,

nism, as employed in connection with a high in Fig. 1, v l

Fig. 6 shows a side elevation of a single self-contained propellingun1t, together with the corresponding fixed contact members, fixedinsulators, and jolntedlmks for conveying and guiding the commonconductor to the two movable contact members,

as employed in a double throw disconnecter. Y Similar numerals refer tosimilar parts throughput. y

As shown in the drawing a movable contact member 1 consisting of a bar,tube or rod of metal, together with a metal terminal and hinge member 2,is mounted on a movable insulator 3.

The movable insulator 3 is in turn mounted at one end of a rigidtranslating member 4, consisting of a metal rod or tube,ihaving formedon the exterior surface a pitched thread, and two keyways 5, saidkeyways 5 being formed parallel to the axis of, and on opposite sides ofthe translating member 4. A spur, bevel, or worm gear 6, equipped at thecenter with a thread of the same pitch as, and engaging with the threadon translatingA member 4, is supported by the metal case 7, and theattached' metal cover 8, through which the translating member 4 passes,with its axis at right angles to the planes of the gear 46 and metalcase 7. Metal case 7 and attached cover 8 each, carries rigidly attachedthereto, at the central opening through which translating member 4passes, two metal keys 9, which engage with the keyways 5 in translatingmember 4, thus permitting longitudinal motion, but pre- -ventingrotation in translating member 4,

when gear 6 is rotated. Metal case 7 ,is constructed with anges 10 forthe purpose of mounting the complete mechanism rigidly to any suitablestructure. Gear 6 is caused to rotate, thus-imparting a longitudinalmotion to translating member 4, by the' gear 11, with which it meshes,and which is likewise contained within metal case 7 Gear 11 is attachedrigidly .to shaft 12, which passes through metal case 7, and by means ofbearings 13, both gear 11 and shaftV 12, are held firmly in place andallowed to rotate freely. Power for actuating the mechanism is appliedto shaft 12, either manually or mechanically. The tail case 14,

` being a 'metal tube, of slightly larger internal diameter thantheexternal diameter of translating member 4, closed at one' end, andprovided with a iiange at the other end for attaching to metal case 7,carries withinit the lubricating material 15, thus assuring/automaticlubrication, at all tim-es, as well as complete protection from snow andice, of the translating member 4, when the disconnecter is in theV openposition.

In order to effect the disconnecting or connecting of the conductor, acontact member 16, composed of a weather proof case containing thereintwo parallel pieces of spring metal, which engage rmly the obntactmember, when the disconnecter is in the closed position or any othersuitable form of contact for engaging contact member 1,

`are mounted on a suitable structure.

is mounted, together with the terminal 17,l

on xed insulator 18, which in turn is rigidly mounted on any suitablestructure. Contact member 16 must in all cases be mounted with itslongitudinal axis in line with the longitudinal axis of contact member1, irrespective of the angle at which the axis of the translating member4, subtends with the axis of iixed vinsulator 18.

Line conductor 19is securely attached to terminal 17. Since conductor 20is attached firmly to terminal 2, through flexible cable 26, and theline insulator support 21 is so located on a structurey that thesag inilexible cable 26, from support 21 to terminal 42, is ffsuicient tofurnish the'additional length required when the disconnecter is i theopen position; or, support 21 can be located so that a jointed link 22may be utilized tov take up the additional length lrequired in flexiblecable 26, thus preventing lateral motion relative to the plane ofconductor 20' neously by the action of a single translating' member 4(see Fig. 2),together with the accompanying mechanism heretoforedescribed, and translating member'4 having mounted thereon 4a commonbase 23, upon which in turn the two or more movableinsulators. 3 aremounted. The contact, members 1 and the contactfmembers 16 in this twoor more of the single self-contained propelling disconnecter unitsheretofore described, mounted with their axes parallel and in thev'sameplane, all of the gears 11 being rigidly connected by the common shaft12.V The accompanying contact member 16,-terminals 17, and fixedinsulators 18 Power for operating such a plurality of disconnecter unitsis transmitted to shaft 12 by means of a `suitable mechanism 24, andmay* be either manual or mechanical.

When desirable as shown in Fig. 6, a single conductor can be alternatelydisconnected from or connected to one of two other conductors, by,omitting tail case 14 and its lubricating material 15 from the singleselfcontained propelling unit, and attaching to the end of propellingmember 4, a second movable insulator 3, having mounted thereon a movableContact member 1 and terminal and hinge member 2, the two terminal andhinge members 2 being joined together electrically by the iiexible cable26, the flexible cable 26 being supported and held in a plane by the twojointed links 22 and securely connected to the conductor. 20, the singleself-contained propelling double throw unit, mounted securely to asuitable structure, togetherwith two corresponding fixed contact members16, terminals 17, fixed insulators 18, and fixed insulator 21, and asuitablemeans for transmitting power to driving shaft 12. Propellingmember 4 when actuated by propelling gear 6, moves forward or backwardas the case may-be, thus alternately disconnecting or connectlngconductor 20 from, or to, the conductor 19 or concontained unit, whichcan be mounted with its longitudin-al axis at any angle of from 90 to270, measured from the axis of the fixed insulator; or, when two or moresuch self-contained units are operated in unison, and mounted with theirlongitudinal axes parallel and in the same plane, such a plurality ofunits can be mounted with the common plane at any angle of from 90o to270, measured from the axis of the fixed insulator; that two or moreconductors can be disconnected or connected simultaneously by a singleself-contained disconnecter unit; that the lubrication of the movingparts ,is automatic; that the moving parts are so protected from snowand ice that under the severest weather conditions its successfuloperation will be assured; that it can be employed in connection withthe highest voltages without undue strains or mechanical weaknesses;that its action is positive when actuated either by manual or mechanicalmeans; that it will withstand magnetic stresses due to heavy currentflow, and that the circuit will not be disconnected through the actionof magnetic forces dueto heavy flow of current; that it cantbe utilizedeither as a single throw or a double throw disconnecter. v

It is evident that my invention may be constructed in many other formsthan that shown, and described, and I, therefore, do

not wish to be restricted by the particular form herein shown, but,intend my claims to cover a mechanism constructed in accordance with thebestmechanical practice of the time, and within the spirit and scope ofmy invention.

I claim:

1. In an electric switch, the combination of a stationary contactmounted on an independent insulating support and provided with means forconnecting a line electrically thereto, a rod-like propelling arm, aninsulator carried on the end of the arm, a contact on the insulatoradapted to cooperate with the lirst contact, the insulator and itscontact being arranged substantially in axial alignment with thestationary contact, means for connecting a line to the contact on theinsulator, and means engaging the arm for positively reciprocating it inthe direction of its longitudinal axis to bring the contacts into andout of engagement.

2. In an electric switch, a stationary contact mounted on an independentinsulating support and provided with means for connecting a lineelectrically thereto, a propelling arm, an insulator carried by the arm,a contact mounted on the insulator and adapted to cooperate with theiirst contact, the insulator and its contact being disposedsubstantially co-axially of said stationary contact, means forconnecting a line to said contact, a housing having apertures throughwhich the arm extends, and means in the housing engaging the arm forreciprocating the latter longitudinally.

3. In an electric switch, a stationary contact mounted on an independentinsulating support and provided with means for electrically connecting aline thereto, a propelling arm movable longitudinally, an insulatorcarried by the arm, the arm and the insulator lying co-axiallyrwith thestationary contact, a contact carried by the insulator and adapted tocooperate with the sta- `tionary contact, means on the insulator forconnecting a line electrically to the contact thereon, and means forreciprocating the arm longitudinally to bring the contacts into and outof engagement.

4. In an electric switch, a stationary contact mounted on an independentinsulating support and provided with means for connecting a linethereto, a propelling arm having a screw thread formed on its surface,an insulator carried by the arm, a contact mounted on the insulator andadapted to cooperate with the Hrst contact, the insulator, and thecontact carried thereby lying substantially co-axially with relation tothe stationary contact, a housing having apertures through which the armextends, and means for reciprocating the arm in the direction of itsaxis to open and close the contacts including a gear located within thehousing adjacent the arm, 'and having portions engaging the thread onthe arm.

5. In an electric switch, a stationary contact mounted onfan independentinsulating support and provided with means for connecting a linethereto, a propelling arm, an insulator carried by the arm, a contactmounted on the insulator and adapted to cooperate with the irst contactmeans on the insulator for connecting a line electrically to the contactthereon, the insulator, and its contact lying substantially co-axiallywith relation to the stationary contact, a housing having aperturesthrough which the arm extends, and means in the housing for supportingthe arm and operable to reciprocate it in the direction of its axis toopen and closethecontacts, this means valso servingv to lock thearm inpositionl e carried by the arm, a contact mounted on theiinsulator andadapted toy cooperate with the -tirst contact thelinsulator, and thecontact thereon-lying substantially co-axia'lly with relationy to-thestationary contact, av

housing having apertures through which the arm extends, a gear withinthe housing -adjacent the arm and having portions engaging theethreadthereon, the gear being held against'axialmovement by the walls of thehousing, and means operable from the vexterior of the housing to rotatethe gearr and thus reciprocate the armI in the direction of its axis toopen and close the contacts.

7. In an electric switch, a plurality of stationary contacts mounted onindependent .insulating supports, a propelling arm, a basecarried by thearm, a plurality ot insulators on the base the axes ot these insulatorslying parallel to the axis ot the arm, a contact on each insulatoradapted to cooperate with one of the stationary contacts each of theinsulator contacts being arranged co-axially with relation to itsinsulator, and also with its associated stationary contact, and meansfor reciprocating the arm in the direction of its axis to open and closethe contacts'.

8. In an electric switch, a plurality of monary contacts mounted onindenendcn insulating supports, a propelling arm, a base carried by thearm, a plurality of insulators on the base the axis of each insulatorbeing parallel tothe axis o't' the arm, acontact on each insulatoradapted to cooperate with one of the stationary contacts each of theseinsulator contacts having its axis parallel to the axis of the arm andin alignment with the axis of its associated stationary Contact, ahousing having apertures through which the'arm extends, and means in thehousing for reciprocating the arm in the direction of its axs to openand close the contacts.

9. In an electric switch, a stationary contact mounted on an independentinsulating support, forming one terminal of a line, a propelling armhaving a screw thread formed on its surface, an insulator carried bysaid arm, a contact carried on said insulator the insulator and theContact being co-axial and in alignment with the stationary contact, andalso having their axes parallel to theaxis of the arm, a line .termfnalmounted on an insulating support and connected to the contact on theinsulator by a flexible cable, a jointed link connecting the terminal tothe contact and connected `v yto 'theflexibleloable,"tandineans'including gear adjacent thejarm and;havingportitmsV engaging thef threadffor reciprocating the {arm'in'thedirection ofits axisto openiand closel the contacts. Y l

' 10J In@ anV electric switch, a'stationary contacty mounted onani`ndependent insulating v' support, vformingoneterminal of aline, af

propelling -arm,an insulator carried by saidarm, a'contactcarried yonsaid insulator 'the insulator andiits contact.being co-axial and inalignment with the stationary contact, the axis of the insulator andContact also being parallel to the axis of the propelling arm, a lineterminal mounted on an insulating support and connected to the contacton theinsulator by a iexible cable, a jointed link connecting the'terminal to the contact and connected to the iexible cable, a housinghaving apertures through which the arm extends, and means in the housingfor reciprocating lthe arm in the direction of its axis to open andclose the contacts.

11. In an electric switch, a pair of contacts mounted in spaced relationon insulating supports, a propelling arm, insulators carried by the arm,contacts carried by the insulators co-axially therewith, each of these1contacts being in alignment and adapted to cooperate with one of thestationary contacts, a support for the arm, and means for reciprocatingthe arm longitudinally to bring one or the other of the contacts carriedthereby into engagement with a stationary contact.

12. In a electric switch, a pair of stationary contacts mounted inspaced relation on insulating supports, a housing supported between thecontacts and having apertures formed in opposite sides thereof, apropelling arm extending through the apertures in the housing, aninsulator carried bythe arm on either side of the housing, a contactcarried on each insulator, and means located in the housing operable toreciprocate the arm axially in either direction to bring one or theother ofthe contacts mounted on the arm into operative relation with astationary contact.

1.3. In an electric switch, a pair of stationary contacts mounted inspaced relation on insulating supports, an axially reciprocablepropelling arm supported between the contacts, insulators carried onsaid arm at either side of said support, contacts carried by saidinsulators, and means for moving the arm to bring either of its contactsi'nto operative connection with a stationary contact.

14. In an electric switch, a pair of stationary4 contacts mounted inspaced relation on insulating supports, a housing supported between thecontacts and having apertures formed in opposite sides thereof, apropelhousing for preventing the rotation of the arm in its axialmovement and also serving to remove 1ce` and sleet from the surface ofthe arm.

15. In an electric switch, a pair of stationary contacts mounted inspaced relation on insulating supports, a housing mounted between thecontacts and having apertures formed in opposite sides thereof, apropel- A'ling arm extending through the apertures] in the housing andhaving longitudinal keyways formed in its-surface, an insulated contactcarried by thefarm on either side of the housing, means located withinthe housing operable tov reciprocate the arm axially in either directionto bring one or the other of the contacts mounted upon it into operativerelation with a stationary contact, and keys mounted on the housing andentering the keyways, these keys serving to `prevent the rotation of thearm in its axial movement and also having portions which serve toremoveice vand sleet from the arm as it is moved.`

16. In an electric switch, a pair of stationary contacts mounted oninsulating supports in spaced relation and connected to line terminals,an axially reciprocable arm supported between the contacts, an insulatorcarried by the arm on either-side of its support, a contact mounted oneach insulator, a

line terminal connected to each contact on the arm, and means for movingthe 'arm in the direction 'of its axis to bring one or the other of itscontacts into engagement with a stationary contact.

17. In an electric switch, a pair of stationary contacts mounted oninsulating supports in spaced relati n and connected to line terminals,an axially reciprocable arm 'supported between the contacts,`aninsulator carried by the arm on either side of its support, la contactmounted on -each insulator, a line terminal mounted on an insulating suport and connected by flexible cables to t e contacts on the arm, ajointed link connected between the line terminal and each contact on thearm and having loose connections with the cable associated with it, andmeans for moving the arm' to bring oneor the other of its contacts intoengagement with a stationary contact.

18. In an electric switch, a pair of stationary contacts mounted inspaced relation on insulating supports, each contact having a terminalfor a line, a support disposed between the stationary contacts, apropelling arm axially reciprocable through the support and havinginsulators carried on either side of said support, a contact carried byeach insulator, a stationary line terminal carried by an insulatorelectrically and mechanically connected to the contacts on the arm, theelectrical and mechanical connections being in turn loosely connectedtogether, and means for moving the arm through the support to bring oneor the other of its contacts into operative engagement with a stationarycontact.

19. In an electric switch a pair of stationary contacts, a housingmounted between the contacts and having yapertures in its walls, apropelling arm extending through the apertures, an insulator on the armon either side of the housing, a contact on each insulator adapted tocooperate with one of the stationary contacts, means in the housing forsupporting and moving the arm through the housing to bring one or theother of its contacts into operative engagement with a stationarycontact, and means operable from without the housing to actuate themoving means. v

20. In an electric switch, a stationary contact mounted on an insulatingsup ort, a propelling arm, an insulator carried y this arm, a contactmounted on the insulator adapted to cooperate with the stationarycontact, a housing having apertures through which the arm extends, meansin the housing for supporting .and moving, the arm therethrough to openand close the contacts, and means carried by the housing at theapertures and engaging the arm beyond the housing for removing ice andsleet from the arm as the latter moves through the housing.

21. In an electric switch, a stationary contact mounted on an insulatingsupport, a propelling arm, an insulator carried by this arm, a contactmounted on the insulator adapted to cooperate with the stationarycontact, a housing having apertures through which the arm extends, meansin the housing for supporting and moving the arm therethrough ,to openand close the contacts, and a pointed key mounted in the housing andextending therebeyond, this key engaging the arm and adapted to removeice and sleet from the surface of the arm as the latter moves throughthe housing.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

GEORGE C. OXER.

